POSITION : TRADE PROMOTION AND LINKAGES EXPERT (TPLE)
The Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC) is a Statutory Corporation established by the Investment and Export Promotion Act of 2012. It is mandated to attract, promote, encourage and facilitate investment in all sectors of our economy and to promote and facilitate exports of goods and services produced in Malawi. MITC plays an active role in fast tracking and improving the ease and reducing the cost of doing business in Malawi for both new and existing companies by offering efficient and reliable one stop services to the business community through its One Stop Service Centre.
With funding from the European Union through the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) Programme under the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), MITC is implementing the Malawi Agro-Processing and Value Addition Project where it shall be promoting the country's products in the regional markets of SADC, EAC and COMESA along the Nacara Corridor.
Among others, the project supports the agro-processing sub-cluster within the Malawi National Export Strategy by supporting 3 elements of the Manufacturing Strategy: developing a roadmap and feasibility study for an Agro-Processing Special Economic Zone; supporting the establishment of a presence in the aforementioned regional markets to promote Malawian agro-processing exports ; and supporting agro production through anchor farm models with the aim of linking smallholder farmers to agro-processors.
As part of establishing a regional presence, MITC hereby seeks to engage the services of a Trade Promotion and Linkages Expert (TPLE) for a period of three years. The TPLE will be based at an MITC office to be established within the region and shall be responsible to the Director of Trade Promotion and Facilitation for the following functions:
Develop and implement a regional market penetration plan particularly for Malawi's agro-processed products as emphasised in the NES and other goods and services.
Ensure that all supermarkets, major traders, catering companies and other potential companies in target countries and regions are fully aware of Malawian agro-processing products, their prices and quality, and have contact details for producing companies.
Train and mentor MITC officers on Trade Promotion and Facilitation issues in emerging and growing regional markets such as trading and logistical arrangements, including the development of supplier networks and relationships (through annual in-house traders' seminars, trader listings and business to business sessions), financing relationships, terms of contracts, logistical settlements etc.
Ensure proper representation of Malawian agro-processed products at key trade events and promotion activities.
Provide feedback to relevant stakeholders and institutions through MITC Head Office in Lilongwe on quality issues, branding issues, marketing issues, standards requirements, logistical issues, border crossing issues, tax issues and other key bottlenecks to Malawi's capacity to export agro-processed products to the region.
Maintain a cohesive and supportive relationship with key government agencies in the target markets within the region.
Provide fieldwork data input to support MITC to maintain an up to date and relevant database of potential customers for all NES priority products, and other key support sectors such as tourism, mining and services.
Provide MITC Head Office and Ministry of Industry and Trade will regular reports on the economic and trade landscape in the target countries with a particular focus on demand for agro-processed products and for agro-processing raw materials in each target market. This reporting should include regular price comparisons between Malawian products and counterpart competitor products from other countries at factory gate, wholesale and retail price levels where possible.
Develop and deliver a communication strategy targeting the private sector and specific government departments and ministries on progress being made and deals secured, including the benefits of those deals.
QUALIFICATIONS
The TPLE shall have more than 10 years work experience at a senior technical level and those with international experience within the field of trade and export promotion shall have an added advantage.
A Masters degree in Marketing, agri-business or related fields from a recognised University which is preceded by a relevant Bachelors degree. Those with PhD have a distinct advantage.
Fluency in English both oral and written. Knowledge of other business languages preferably Portuguese is preferred
Excellent interpesonal skills
Very good in coaching and skills transfer
Organised, focussed and a highly results oriented.
Organised, focussed and a highly results oriented.
Interested applicants for the above vacancies should forward their applications by 16th August, 2015, enclosing copies of certificates and up-to-date Curriculum Vitae with names of three (3) traceable referees to:
The Chief Executive Officer,
Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC),
East Wing Aquarius House,
Private Bag 302,
LILONGWE 3
MALAWI
Email: recruitment@mitc.mw
Email: recruitment@mitc.mw
